Hitmaker Fund for Songwriters and Producers in United Kingdom

Deadline: 28-Sep-2026

The Hitmaker Fund provides grants of £5,000 to £10,000 to UK-based songwriters and producers working in popular music genres. The fund supports talented behind-the-scenes music creators at important stages of their careers, helping them develop their creative and professional skills and build sustainable careers in the music industry. Funding can support activities such as dedicated creative time, training, studio hire, equipment and software, childcare, maternity leave, and international creative development opportunities.

About the Hitmaker Fund

The Hitmaker Fund is designed to invest in songwriters and producers who contribute to the creation of new music but may work behind the scenes rather than as performing artists. The fund aims to help talented music creators: - Develop songwriting and production skills. - Create new music. - Access professional development opportunities. - Strengthen their creative practice. - Reach important career development points. - Build sustainable careers in the music industry. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet specific professional and career requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

- Be UK-based songwriters or producers. - Work in popular music genres. - Have a previous professional track record. - Have at least 5 credited works registered with PRS for Music. - Not be signed to a major label or major publisher deal. Applications can be submitted directly by the songwriter or producer or by an authorised representative. Who Can Apply on Behalf of a Songwriter or Producer? Applications do not have to be submitted personally by the music creator.

Eligible representatives can include:

- Managers. - Music publishers. - Lawyers. - Trusted advisors. Representatives should ensure that the application clearly reflects the applicant’s creative and professional development needs. How Much Funding Is Available? The Hitmaker Fund provides grants between: £5,000 and £10,000 The funding is intended to support the creative and professional development of songwriters and producers. Applicants should request an amount that is appropriate for the activities they propose and clearly explain how the funding will contribute to their career development. What Can the Hitmaker Fund Support? The fund supports a broad range of creative and professional development activities. Time to Create Funding can provide songwriters and producers with dedicated time to focus on creating new music. This can be particularly valuable for creators who need time away from other commitments to develop their writing or production work. Training and Skills Courses Grants can support training or skills courses that strengthen an applicant’s professional capabilities. This could include development that directly improves songwriting, production, or related creative skills. Creative and Professional Development Funding can support activities that help applicants progress creatively and professionally. Applicants should clearly explain how the proposed development activity relates to their career and future goals. Studio Hire Eligible funding can contribute toward studio hire for songwriting or music production activities. Equipment and Software Applicants can request funding for equipment or software needed for their creative development. However, equipment and software purchases can account for no more than 25% of the costs. Tracking Funding can support tracking activities associated with music creation and production. Maternity Leave and Childcare The fund recognises that personal circumstances can affect a creator’s ability to maintain their professional development. Eligible funding can therefore contribute toward maternity leave and childcare. International Creative Development International activity may be supported where it has a clear benefit for the applicant’s creative development. This does not mean that international touring is eligible; the activity must contribute specifically to creative development. Equipment and Software Limit Equipment and software are eligible but restricted. Applicants can allocate up to 25% of costs to equipment or software. The majority of the proposed budget should therefore demonstrate how the grant will contribute to broader creative and professional development. What Is Not Eligible? The Hitmaker Fund does not support certain activities or costs.

Ineligible activities include:

- Purchasing a van. - Purchasing a car. - International touring. - Supporting a roster of artists. - Projects already covered by existing label or publisher deals. - Capital projects. - Building a studio. Applicants should make sure that their proposed activities fall within the fund’s creative and professional development objectives. Existing Label or Publisher Deals Projects that are already covered by an existing label or publisher deal are not eligible for support. Applicants should therefore clearly identify the status of their professional agreements and demonstrate that the proposed activity falls outside existing contractual support. Commercially Exploited Works Requirement Applications must include at least two commercially exploited works for consideration. Applicants should select works that demonstrate their professional track record and experience in the music industry. This requirement should be considered alongside the requirement to have at least five credited works registered with PRS for Music. How to Apply Applicants should prepare an application that clearly demonstrates their professional track record and explains how the grant will contribute to their development.

Step 1: Confirm Your Eligibility

Check that you:

- Are UK-based. - Are a songwriter or producer. - Work in popular music. - Have a professional track record. - Have at least five credited works registered with PRS for Music. - Are not signed to a major label or major publisher deal.

Step 2: Identify Your Development Needs

Determine what you need to move forward at your current c